Mayor Thomas M. Menino created the Boston 2:00-to-6:00 After-School Initiative in 1998 to support the expansion of high-quality after-school programs that provide learning and social development opportunities for children and youth.

The Boston 2:00-to-6:00 After-School Initiative has merged with Boston's After-School for All Partnership to create Boston After School & Beyond (Boston Beyond).

On July 1, 2004, the Boston 2:00-to-6:00 After-School Initiative became part of Boston Beyond, a new 501(c)(3) organization, that was created by combining 2:00-to-6:00 with Boston's After-School for All Partnership. Boston Beyond grew out of a year-long planning process funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Boston Beyond is a public/private partnership to organize the many networks and organizations that make up the out-of-school time field into a coherent system with the goal of expanding access to high-quality programming for all of Boston's families.

The new organization will work to advance out-of-school time in several important ways:

• Communications: raise awareness of the importance of out-of-school time, and play a key role in making information available and easily accessible to programs, media, funders, researchers and other stakeholders.
  
  
• Data, Research, & Analysis: provide a central and accessible database of citywide information on out-of-school time and enhanced capacity to collect, store, and analyze data; provide technology and data use capacity-building for programs and intermediaries.
  
  
• Strategic Initiatives: identify systemic issues that face multiple programs and stakeholders, and convene groups to develop initiatives to address those needs.
  
  
• Resource Development: advocate for and leverage additional public financing of out-of-school time programs and promote increased private sector funding, bringing additional financial and non-financial resources to the field.

What Will Happen With All Of 2:00-to-6:00's Projects?
This new effort represents the logical next step for Boston 2:00-to-6:00 in that it furthers Mayor Menino's goal of building the out-of-school system to ensure high-quality opportunities for all of the city's young people. As part of Boston Beyond, Boston 2:00-to-6:00 will continue to coordinate Achieve Boston, leverage resources, and build partnerships to expand and improve out-of-school time.

Governance of The New Organization
A Board of Directors composed of key public and private leaders will govern the new organization. Mayor Thomas M. Menino is the Honorary Chairperson of the Board, and Boston's School Superintendent, Police Chief, and Head of Human Services serve in an ex officio capacity. Other Board members will include a broad base of business, civic, and community leaders, including representatives of the out-of-school time field. In addition to the Board, an active Advisory Council representing the out-of-school time field will ensure ongoing community participation in setting the agenda of the organization.

For more information regarding Boston After School & Beyond please visit our website at www.bostonbeyond.org.

Boston After School & Beyond
89 South Street, Suite 402
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617.345.5322
Fax: 617.812.4693
Email: 2to6@bostonbeyond.org